Diagnostic medical sonographers are an integral part of the diagnostic team. Often referred to as “ultrasound technologists,” they utilize specialized equipment to create sonograms - or ultrasound scans - of structures inside the human body. This could be the abdomen, the heart, blood vessels or a baby in utero. After the sonographer creates the scans, a physician reviews them to make a medical diagnosis and develop a course of treatment.

Working in sonography is a hands-on experience with direct patient care. It requires problem solving and determining which images the doctor will need. The actual act of sonography uses sound waves and handheld transducers to obtain images. This most commonly takes place in obstetrics and gynecology offices, but sonographers can also specialize in abdominal, breast, vascular and neurosonography treatment, among others.

This profession combines medicine, technology, science and compassion into a very rewarding career.

As a student, you will take courses designed to help you gain a solid combination of both soft and hard skills. You will go to school for pathophysiology, ultrasound scanning techniques and protocols, patient care, medical communications and professional medical ethics.

Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the use of sonography will continue to increase as patients, when given the option, choose to avoid exposure to radiation or undergo invasive procedures. Due to this increase in use, and the growing older population who will need diagnosis of medical conditions, employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to grow 24 percent nationally through 2024.*